Durham University is offering up to 11 PhD studentships in Transformative Humanities for the 2027 competition. Each studentship funds a full-time PhD for three and a half years: a stipend at UKRI rates, a complete tuition fee waiver, and extra funding for research, training and placement opportunities. Applications close at noon UK time on 15 January 2027 — but there is one condition you must know before you start.
You cannot apply for the studentship alone. You must first hold an offer for a PhD in one of Durham’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities departments, and the deadline for that PhD application is 11:59 PM UK time on 11 January 2027. You are really working against two deadlines, only four days apart — miss the first one and the second does not matter.
The funding package, explained simply
The studentship covers your living costs with a stipend paid at UKRI rates for 3.5 years of full-time study. UKRI sets the standard national rate for funded PhDs in the United Kingdom, so you are paid at the same level as other nationally funded doctoral researchers. Your tuition fees are waived in full, and there is additional funding for research costs, training courses and placement opportunities.
The 3.5-year length is a real advantage over the usual 3-year PhD: an extra six months for fieldwork, a placement, or simply writing your thesis without panic. Of the up to 11 awards, 9 are open to Home students and 2 are open to overseas students, with the overseas awards covering tuition at the international rate.
Two deadlines, not one — plan backwards
The studentship deadline of 15 January 2027 is only the second step. The first step is securing a PhD offer from a Durham Faculty of Arts and Humanities department, and that application must be submitted by 11:59 PM UK time on 11 January 2027. Four days is not enough to prepare a PhD application from scratch — a strong one needs a research proposal, a writing sample, references and usually a conversation with a potential supervisor.
Work backwards: to be ready by early January, you should be contacting potential supervisors and drafting your proposal in November and December. Treat 11 January as your real deadline and 15 January as the final paperwork step.
Key details at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Durham University |
| Programme | PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities (2027 competition) |
| Location | Durham, United Kingdom |
| Number of awards | Up to 11 (9 Home, 2 overseas) |
| Funding | 3.5-year stipend at UKRI rates, full tuition fee waiver, plus research, training and placement funding |
| PhD application deadline | 11 January 2027, 11:59 PM UK time |
| Studentship application deadline | 15 January 2027, noon UK time |
Who should apply — and who should not
You are a strong fit if you are finishing a Master’s degree (or already hold one) in a humanities or arts subject — literature, history, philosophy, theology, music, languages, classics or a related field — and you have a clear research question you want to spend three and a half years answering. A PhD is mostly independent research, academic writing and long-form argument, so it suits people aiming for an academic or research career.
You should not apply if you cannot secure a Durham PhD offer by 11 January 2027 — without that offer, the studentship application cannot succeed. You should also not apply if your research sits outside the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, such as in the sciences or business school, because these studentships are restricted to Arts and Humanities departments.
How to apply, step by step
First, explore the departments in Durham’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities and identify one or two academics whose research matches your interests. Read their recent work and write a short, polite email introducing yourself, your background and your proposed topic. A supervisor who agrees to support your application makes everything that follows much easier.
Second, submit your PhD application through Durham’s postgraduate system before 11:59 PM UK time on 11 January 2027, with your research proposal, transcripts, writing sample and references ready. Third, once you hold your PhD offer, complete the separate studentship application before noon UK time on 15 January 2027, checking that every required document is attached. Keep your schedule flexible in the weeks after the deadline in case you are contacted for further information.
Why this studentship stands out
The double-deadline structure looks like a burden, but it is actually a filter that works in your favour. Many capable applicants will be put off by the two-step process, so the applicant pool is smaller and more serious than for a single-deadline scholarship. If you plan early and meet both dates, you are already ahead of most of the competition. If you are also considering fully funded opportunities beyond the UK, take a look at our guide to KAUST Scholarships for fully funded master’s and PhD study.
Questions applicants usually ask
Can international students apply for these studentships?
Yes. Two of the up to 11 awards are open to overseas students, and these awards cover tuition fees at the overseas rate. The remaining nine awards are open to Home students.
Do I really need a Durham PhD offer before applying for the studentship?
Yes. You must hold an offer for a PhD in a Durham Faculty of Arts and Humanities department. The PhD application deadline is 11:59 PM UK time on 11 January 2027, four days before the studentship deadline.
What does a stipend “at UKRI rates” mean?
It means your living allowance is paid at the standard national rate set by UK Research and Innovation for funded doctoral students in the UK. The official page does not state a figure, so check the current UKRI rate on the official UKRI website for the exact amount.
Which subjects count as part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities?
The faculty covers departments such as English, history, philosophy, theology and religion, music, modern languages and cultures, and classics, among others. Confirm your intended department is included on Durham’s official faculty pages before you apply.
